Benetton: We can take confidence into Southampton clash

Match previews

7 hours ago

Crystal Palace Under-18s goalkeeper Lucca Benetton is expecting a tough test against Southampton – but believes the Young Eagles can build on their winning start to the season.

Palace began their U18 Premier League South campaign with a 3-1 victory at West Ham United and will now bid to make it two wins from two when Southampton visit the Academy on Saturday (11:00 BST) – a game you can enjoy LIVE on Palace TV+!

The U18 Premier League South is the top level of U18 football for Category One academies, with teams split into northern and southern sections before the two section winners meet to decide the national champions.

Subscribe to Palace TV+

Quote Icons

It was a good game for us
—Lucca Benetton

Having joined Palace at Under-13 level, Benetton progressed quickly through the Academy ranks before establishing himself as the U18s’ first-choice ‘keeper in the second half of 25/26.

He began 26/27 between the posts at West Ham and was pleased with how the Young Eagles dug deep to secure the three points.

“Yeah, I think it was a good game for us, of course, because we won,” he said. “Especially in the late stages of the game, we put that effort in to get the result.

“But I think there are obviously things we could have been better on, especially in the first half. The momentum was high for both sides at certain times.

“Then, in the second half, I think we really damaged them on the counter-attacks. That’s where we got our goals, by making those runs, having that work rate and effort to get there and then also come back and defend.”

Quote Icons

I was happy with how I did
—Lucca Benetton

It was not the busiest of afternoons for the ‘keeper, but Benetton was happy with his own performance on the opening day.

“I was happy with it. I think, first league game of the season, you want to be solid and clean with what you can do as a keeper.

“I think that’s what you want, having that confidence going into the season and just having solid performances.

“You don’t need to do anything too crazy, but I think that’s good and I was happy with it.”

Quote Icons

It put confidence into the team
—Lucca Benetton

Ajean Greaves’ brace and Toby Williams’ spectacular late strike provided the headlines at West Ham, with Benetton believing both performances gave the group an early lift.

“Yeah, that was good. It put confidence into the team as well,” he said.

“Then Toby obviously making his debut and scoring a screamer, I think it puts confidence into the team, showing what everyone can do and what our players can do, what we’re about.

“I think it’s a great way to start the season.”

Quote Icons

There’s still lots of work to do
—Lucca Benetton

Benetton was one of 13 players to sign a scholarship over the summer, and the ‘keeper believes the new group is already beginning to gel.

“We’ve been with each other for about six weeks now since pre-season started, but I think we’re getting on together.

“It’s just a start, but we’re getting to the point where we’re all synchronised and things are starting to get into place.

“But there’s still lots of work to do.”

Quote Icons

I always enjoy it with the first team
—Lucca Benetton

The 15-year-old has also already experienced life around the first team, training regularly with them and travelling to northern Italy for the Como Cup during pre-season.

“It was very good. I always enjoy it with them,” he said.

“It’s always a good challenge and a good opportunity to show what I can do and also learn from the tempo of the players and the other keepers there, who are always really supportive and give a lot of feedback to me.

“So it’s good when I’m there.”

Quote Icons

It’ll be a good challenge
—Lucca Benetton

Now his focus is firmly on Southampton, who also opened their campaign with a victory, beating Brentford 4-2.

Having faced the Saints at U18 level last season, Benetton knows what to expect.

“I expect them to be a good side. I played against them last season with the U18s and they’re a good side.

“Every season, Southampton have a good set of players in the U18s, so I think it’ll be a good challenge.

“I expect them to be physical as well, so I think it’ll be a good game between us and them.

“If we can do what we did this weekend, take on board the things we’ve spoken to the coaches about and have that work-rate and effort that we did at the weekend, I think we can definitely be at our best and get the result we want.”

How to follow

The match will be streamed LIVE on Palace TV+ on Saturday, with coverage beginning at 10:45 BST ahead of the 11:00 BST kick-off. Find out more and subscribe here.

Supporters can also follow live commentary on our Academy X (Twitter) page, with a full match report and reaction published shortly after full-time in our Academy news section.

Highlights and extended reaction will be available on Palace TV+.

Match Details

Crystal Palace Under-18s v Southampton Under-18s

Saturday, 22nd August
11:00 BST
Crystal Palace Academy
U18 Premier League South
Watch LIVE on Palace TV+

Related News

More News

Benetton: We can take confidence into Southampton clash

Match previews

7 hours ago

Crystal Palace Under-18s goalkeeper Lucca Benetton is expecting a tough test against Southampton – but believes the Young Eagles can build on their winning start to the season.

Subscribe to Palace TV+

Quote Icons

It was a good game for us
—Lucca Benetton

Having joined Palace at Under-13 level, Benetton progressed quickly through the Academy ranks before establishing himself as the U18s’ first-choice ‘keeper in the second half of 25/26.

He began 26/27 between the posts at West Ham and was pleased with how the Young Eagles dug deep to secure the three points.

“Yeah, I think it was a good game for us, of course, because we won,” he said. “Especially in the late stages of the game, we put that effort in to get the result.

“But I think there are obviously things we could have been better on, especially in the first half. The momentum was high for both sides at certain times.

Quote Icons

I was happy with how I did
—Lucca Benetton

It was not the busiest of afternoons for the ‘keeper, but Benetton was happy with his own performance on the opening day.

“I was happy with it. I think, first league game of the season, you want to be solid and clean with what you can do as a keeper.

“I think that’s what you want, having that confidence going into the season and just having solid performances.

“You don’t need to do anything too crazy, but I think that’s good and I was happy with it.”

Quote Icons

It put confidence into the team
—Lucca Benetton

Ajean Greaves’ brace and Toby Williams’ spectacular late strike provided the headlines at West Ham, with Benetton believing both performances gave the group an early lift.

“Yeah, that was good. It put confidence into the team as well,” he said.

“Then Toby obviously making his debut and scoring a screamer, I think it puts confidence into the team, showing what everyone can do and what our players can do, what we’re about.

“I think it’s a great way to start the season.”

Quote Icons

There’s still lots of work to do
—Lucca Benetton

Benetton was one of 13 players to sign a scholarship over the summer, and the ‘keeper believes the new group is already beginning to gel.

“We’ve been with each other for about six weeks now since pre-season started, but I think we’re getting on together.

“It’s just a start, but we’re getting to the point where we’re all synchronised and things are starting to get into place.

“But there’s still lots of work to do.”

Quote Icons

I always enjoy it with the first team
—Lucca Benetton

The 15-year-old has also already experienced life around the first team, training regularly with them and travelling to northern Italy for the Como Cup during pre-season.

“It was very good. I always enjoy it with them,” he said.

“So it’s good when I’m there.”

Quote Icons

It’ll be a good challenge
—Lucca Benetton

Now his focus is firmly on Southampton, who also opened their campaign with a victory, beating Brentford 4-2.

Having faced the Saints at U18 level last season, Benetton knows what to expect.

“I expect them to be a good side. I played against them last season with the U18s and they’re a good side.

“Every season, Southampton have a good set of players in the U18s, so I think it’ll be a good challenge.

“I expect them to be physical as well, so I think it’ll be a good game between us and them.

How to follow

The match will be streamed LIVE on Palace TV+ on Saturday, with coverage beginning at 10:45 BST ahead of the 11:00 BST kick-off. Find out more and subscribe here.

Supporters can also follow live commentary on our Academy X (Twitter) page, with a full match report and reaction published shortly after full-time in our Academy news section.

Highlights and extended reaction will be available on Palace TV+.

Match Details

Crystal Palace Under-18s v Southampton Under-18s

Saturday, 22nd August
11:00 BST
Crystal Palace Academy
U18 Premier League South
Watch LIVE on Palace TV+

Related News

More News